The Mavericks were one of my top ten concerts of 2013 and I could not wait to see them again, now that I know their music much better.

The Mavericks

I thought this would be a different experience considering The Capitol Center for the Arts is a seated venue, but I was wrong. There was as much energy coming from the band and the audience as there was at the show I saw last year (the demographic was generally older than I see at most other concerts I attend).

The Mavericks

The band is touring this year in celebration of their 25th anniversary, albeit with a hiatus of about eight years. They are as tight as ever.

Raul Malo

Raul Malo is the lead singer of The Mavericks; his voice gorgeous and silky-smooth with marvelous depth. I think I could listen to him sing the phone book…

Jerry Dale McFadden

Jerry Dale McFadden plays keyboards and sings; he is pretty much the life of the party! The animation he displays when tickling those ivories is so much fun to watch.

Eddie Perez

Eddie Perez plays electric guitar and contributes backing vocals. He knows how to rouse (or is it arouse) the crowd and seems to be aware of what’s happening in the audience at all times.

Paul Deakin

Paul Deakin is the terrific drummer. Last night he was nattily dressed (although to be fair to the rest of the band, all of them dressed to the nines for the occasion) in what I would have thought would be constricting clothes but he was as animated as any drummer I’ve seen.

Robert Reynolds and Jerry Dale

Robert Reynolds plays acoustic guitar and also provides backing vocals.

Raul, Jerry Dale, Eddie, Paul, and Robert comprise the core members of the band. There were four other musicians with them last night – Jay Weaver on bass, Matt Cappy on trumpet, Max Abrams on saxophone, and Michael Guerra on accordian and guitar.

Max Abrams

Matt Cappy

Jay Weaver

Michael Guerra

They were all excellent musicians, especially the accordionist. He added several solos, including one with Raul (and only Raul) in the first encore.

Raul

They played songs from throughout their career, including the album that was released last year, ‘In Time’. ‘What A Crying Shame’, ‘Back In Your Arms Again’, ‘Here Comes The Rain’ and ‘La Bamba’ were all on the setlist.

Raul

Something that was very obvious to me, and to all people sitting or standing in the first ten rows, was that they were all having a blast. Raul was smiling broadly behind the mic throughout the show; Jerry Dale was clapping and laughing; Paul was grinning; Eddie was prancing; and Robert was animated. Their enjoyment was infectious.

Jerry Dale

The initial set lasted only 80 minutes. After a couple of minutes, Raul returned to the stage and performed solo for us. Wow, his voice never ceases to make me weak-kneed. After one song, the accordionist came to the stage for a duet. Then, after their ‘pee break’ (Raul’s words, not mine!), the rest of the band returned to the stage and performed for another hour!

The Mavericks have become one of my favorite bands to see live. I’m seeing them again tonight and might see them over the summer when they return to Massachusetts! Go see them if you can – you won’t be sorry.